The authors agree with Vernon M. Briggs, Jr., that U.S. immigration policy has had unexpected consequences. The 1965 immigration reforms led to unanticipated chain migration from developing countries whereas the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act failed to slow unauthorized immigration. The result is a large foreign-born population with…

A focus of Government policy has been the need to ensure that those at the lower end of the labour market invest in their human capital through re-engaging with learning, which has been assumed to enable progress into better-paid employment. This article explores the problems created by "bad jobs" and the evidence for the existence of a…

Comparing the papers on the Korean and the U.S. situations leads to interesting conclusions. Cho and Shin argue that the recent crisis did not create huge problems in the labor market because Korea was firstly in a fundamentally sound economic situation and secondly took adequate anti-crisis measures, in particular by stabilizing internal demand.…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to introduce the key themes in the area of the impact of demographic change on young workers and older workers in relation to education, skills and employment, as discussed in the papers included in this section. The authors have also drawn upon data from their project "From Young Workers to Older…

Since U.S. economic growth began to slow in 2006, both the Bush and Obama Administrations have enacted a number of fairly costly programs designed to stimulate the economy and employment growth. Because many of these programs are fairly new, there has been little comprehensive examination of their impacts, but initial analysis suggests that these…

This article explores the history of human capital in the United States in relation to scholarly study of the private economic returns to higher education. The focus of this study is the private economic returns to subbaccalaureate education in two-year community and technical colleges. This article argues that although there are some beneficial…

The significant imbalance between individual demand for higher education and societal demand for highly educated labor, leading to unemployment and underemployment of the intelligentsia, poses serious socioeconomic and psychological problems for individuals and society. Both an alternative to the human capital theory and analysis of government…

The topic of education, which is accorded lofty significance from time to time, has become topical and relevant again. Education is the focus of one of the national projects and a topic of discussion at this year's first meeting of the State Council, and Russia has finally proposed that it be placed at the top of the agenda for the upcoming G8…

Does the increase in qualified people in the European labor market reflect a demand for diplomas or for human capital? Inflation of the number of people with diplomas should not be labeled "overeducation" but rather a response to increasing demand for intellectual capabilities in jobs. (SK)

Presents highlights of a panel discussion on workplace literacy at the Literacy in the 21st Century Research Conference (Edmonton, Alberta, October 1997). Participants from business, government, and university discussed Syncrude Canada's Workplace Literacy Program, implications of the International Adult Literacy Survey for the labor market, and…

The author analyzes some issues on the cost of emigration to the countries of origin and some policy implications. Attention is focused on how the supply of skilled workers is affected by migration. The article also discusses distortion of the free market and presents a profile of Asian contract workers. (CT)

An economic rationale for financial aid, for need and no-need awards, and for the changes in the level of support and the mixture of programs is presented. The economic model used to develop this rationale is the capital investment theory. (MLW)

The foundation of factional pressures for upgrading educational credentials in the labor market is examined through a review of human capital and screening theories. The writings of Adam Smith are referenced to show that the claims of the beneficial effects of educational upgrading have been questioned for 200 years. (Author/MLW)

Approximately two-thirds of the population depends on one-third of the population for survival. The valiant 77 million constitute the full-time work force in the United States. The conflict between excellence and equality weakens the development of a maximally productive work force. (JN)

Discusses why the stakes are so high for the nation to employ equity in the preparation and participation of all children for higher education and the workforce. Contains 24 references. (DDR)